In recent years, certain developments have taken place which has brought
the subject of music as an extremely significant issue. Music has
spread to such an extent that it is afflicting every muslim in this modern
era. Today, individuals are being confronted by a situation where one is
forced to listen to music whether by choice or without. Music is played
in nearly all department stores and super markets. Even whilst walking
in the streets, we find cars blaring with music. No matter which direction
we go, we are blasted with music. The increasing popularity of music, which
is prevalent in our society poses a tremendous danger for muslims.

References within the context of the Holy Qur`aan along with the Hadith
of the Prophet
confirm that music is haraam.
Interpreters of the Qur`aan have defined the term `lahwal hadith`
which is mentioned in the Qur`aan as:

1) Singing and listening to songs.
2) Purchasing of male and female singers.
3) Purchase of instruments of fun and amusement.

When Sayyidana Abdullah Ibne Mas`ood ,
a very close companion of our Prophet
was asked about the meaning of the term `lahwal hadith`, he replied

“I swear by Him besides whom there is no other God,that it refers
to ghinaa (singing ).”

This statement, he repeated three times. This view is unanimously supported
by the four Khalifas, the eminent Sahabaah, Tabi`een, the four Imaams and
other reliable Islaamic scholars and authorities.

One hadith from the Bukhari Shareef, the most authentic Book of Hadith,
further confirms unlawfulness of music and singing :

`There will be people of my Ummah who will seek to make lawful;
fornication, wine-drinking and the use of ma`aazif ( musical instruments
).`

Detailed analysis of the arabic word `ma`aazif ` shows that it
refers to musical instruments, the sounds of those musical instruments
and singing with the accompaniment of instruments.

Closer analysis of the wordings of the Hadith establishes the prohibition
of music. Firstly, the words `seek to make lawful ` shows that music is
not permissible, as logically one can only seek to make lawful that which
is not allowed. Secondly, if music was not prohibited, then it would not
have been brought within the same context as fornication and wine-drinking.

Muslims are aware that nothing has been prohibited by Allah except that
which is harmful to the welfare of a Muslim individual and the society
as a whole. The divine attribute behind the prohibition of music can be
comprehended by looking into the diverse influence music can have.

Experiments carried out by doctors and professors have confirmed that
the music of today is such that it does not only affect the brain, but
each and every organ of one`s body. There is a close relationship between
music and bodily movements. We find that people listening to music automatically
start tapping their fingers and feet, as if the music is permeating in
their blood.

It is also proved that music affect`s one`s emotions, increases arousal
in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various physiological
changes in the person. In a psychology experiment, it was found that listening
to moderate type of music increased one`s normal heart beat, whilst listening
to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that
music has no effect.

It is a very ignorant and misguided attitude to percieve music as a
form of pleasure and passing of time, since the messages of today`s music
follow a general theme of love, fornication, drugs and freedom.

We find that the whole world is obsessed with the kufr idea of freedom,
i.e. freedom of speech, freedom of movement, etc. In modern schools
and universities, we observe independence, free expression and secular
thinking being encouraged. This idea of freedom, “ It`s my life, I`ll do
what I want” is a predominant, underlying theme of today`s music. It is
being used as a means for drilling those modern ideologies that are totally
contrary to Islamic Shariah and values, into the minds of Muslims.

One should abstain from evil audacities such as listening to music and
encourage others to do the same too.